on this fiscal cliff, i think a lot of republicans will move towards that $250,000 number. 24e may not like the president's deal or his approach, but both sides want to extend middle class tax rates. that's the key. both parties agree they want to extend to a certain threshold middle class tax rates. it's all about where that ball ends pup. >> so you think republicans will go for $250,000. >> i don't think the republican leadership will agree on $250,000, but you will see as many republicans move towards $250,000, maybe a scattering in the senate, a scattering in the house, because at the end of the day they want to extend as many rates as possible. >> but, richard, the real question here, they don't have to agree to $250,000 but they have to let a vote happen on $250,000. in of that case mitch mcconnell would have to agree not owe filibuster and speaker boehner would have to allow the bill to come to the floor. it's 9 process disagreements. >> i may not be the only person who is getting confused on the optimist/pessimist signals. let's listen to what we heard from a couple senators. f